Chapter Fifty-Six: The Emergence of the Master! (Third Update)

"Teacher, what... what are you doing?" Lin Dong stood dumbfounded, his gaze complex as he looked at Lin Wangtian kneeling before Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu, facing Lin Wangtian, personally helped him up, his lips curled in a warm smile. "Among all my disciples, you are neither the strongest in skill nor status. Yet you are the one I value most. Years ago, I promised you this: your perseverance, wise yet humble, will one day help you cross into the realm of the grandmaster."

Lin Wangtian, tears streaming down his face, stood before him like a child praised by his teacher, ever so straight and proper. A single word of praise from Jiang Yu was as precious as the blessings of heaven.

Lin Wangtian started to kneel again, but Jiang Yu stopped him with a smile. "Wait until I finish a few things."

With that, Jiang Yu turned to Lin Dong. "I once said Lin Wangtian would never agree to let you take me as your disciple. At the time, you asked me why. Now, do you understand?"

Lin Dong stared blankly at Jiang Yu, silent. His heart, devoted to martial arts, was on the verge of shattering. Not even in his wildest dreams did he imagine Jiang Yu would be Lin Wangtian's teacher. In terms of seniority, he would now have to address Jiang Yu as Grandmaster.

"What have I done?" Lin Dong closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.

Lin Wangtian furrowed his brow, a sudden sense of foreboding in his heart. He whispered, "Teacher, has this unworthy disciple said or done something to offend you?"

Xia Qinghan was utterly shaken, her mouth dry, unable to utter a word. She felt her body slip out of her control, soft and powerless, like a stump frozen in place.

Under countless bewildered gazes, Jiang Yu spoke with a faint smile, "Lin Dong wishes to take me as his disciple, though I wonder if I am so fortunate."

The teasing in his words was clear for all to hear.

"Damn..."

Many prominent figures felt their scalps tingle. Was there truly anyone in the world bold enough to take a master of such strength as a disciple? In this age, aside from Gu Changsheng, who would dare utter such a thing?

Lin Wangtian was stunned for several seconds, then cried out loudly, "Lin Dong, do you realize you are desecrating the divine? Get down and apologize, and do not stop until the teacher forgives you!" As he spoke, his gaze was full of disappointment, and he kicked Lin Dong.

Lin Dong did not budge, as if his soul had wandered away, completely shocked by the scene before him.

Lin Wangtian slapped him again, then slumped down beside him. In the past, Lin Dong had caused trouble before, but never to this extent. Today, he had brought disaster upon them all.

Jiang Yu then looked to Xia Qinghan. "You once said I was proud. At this moment, what do you say?"

Xia Qinghan took a deep breath. The last bit of pride she held as a genius faded away under Jiang Yu's simple question.

"In the end, I underestimated the heroes of the world."

She turned, her silhouette forlorn, and walked toward the house.

Lin Dong finally came to his senses, kneeling in terror. "Grandmaster, I was wrong. My vision was narrow—I apologize!"

Lin Wangtian's nose twisted with anger. He suddenly felt as though he had betrayed his teacher and ancestors. He knelt next to Lin Dong, pleading for forgiveness. "It was my failure to guide him. Teacher, please punish me as well."

Jiang Yu waved his hand. "Enough. Those who know not are not at fault."

"Ma Tianzong, Li Hao, Lin Wangtian, Gu Feifei, you four—come inside."

With those words, Jiang Yu left the gathering of distinguished guests in the courtyard and walked alone into the house.

Standing beside Li Hao, the lead wolf's eyes were filled with fear. "This is it—Master Jiang is about to pursue that matter. Hao, you fool!"

Inside the house, Jiang Yu stood with his back to the four, lost in thought.

Ma Tianzong, Li Hao, Lin Wangtian, and Gu Feifei stood respectfully behind him, backs slightly bowed, barely daring to breathe, as if awaiting his words.

After a few minutes, just as the tension became unbearable, Jiang Yu finally spoke. "When I took you as disciples, I set rules for the sect. Tell me, what are they?"

Li Hao answered first. "Teacher, you decreed that disciples must not betray their masters or ancestors, must not bully the weak with strength, nor may they harm each other. The six of us, brothers and sisters, are to support one another, share fortune and hardship alike."

His voice grew softer as he spoke, sweat beading on his forehead. Jiang Yu was clearly about to pass judgment.

Jiang Yu asked, "Feifei, why have you been blacklisted?"

Gu Feifei replied quietly, "Because I have been rising rapidly, almost becoming the leading actress in China. Rivals, enemies, even friends have been slandering me in secret. They enlisted unscrupulous newspapers to portray me as a promiscuous woman. The young master of Huating Entertainment even demanded I spend the night with him, become his lover, to further my career."

"In recent days, my own entertainment company has put me on ice, planning to blacklist me permanently. Numerous commercial ads, variety shows, and even major film roles have been replaced at the last moment."

Jiang Yu nodded, then turned to Ma Tianzong. "Among all, your influence is the greatest, with assets worth billions. Have you heard of Feifei's troubles?"

Ma Tianzong clenched his teeth, his body trembling. Jiang Yu's anger was like divine wrath. In their eyes, Jiang Yu was already a god. Now, facing his question, Ma Tianzong forced a bitter smile. "Teacher, I have indeed heard."

Jiang Yu let out a cold snort. Under the weight of his presence, the four nearly collapsed to their knees. The sound pierced their hearts, making Ma Tianzong's vision blur as if his soul were about to leave his body.

"You have heard, yet why has Feifei suffered so? Has your comfortable life and the reverence of thousands made you forget the rules of our sect?"

"In the beginning, Li Hao aspired to become a local leader, so I made him the underground emperor of Yun City. Lin Wangtian sought mastery of martial arts, so I taught him the arts and helped him become a grandmaster. Feifei loved singing and acting, so I helped her become the most famous actress today. You, Ma Tianzong, desired wealth, so I made you the richest man in Jiangbei."

"And the others, like Liu Banan, I helped them become those with power second only to the greatest."

With each sentence, the weight in Jiang Yu's tone grew heavier.

Ma Tianzong quickly knelt on one knee. "Forgive me, Teacher. It was my negligence—I failed to see Feifei's plight. I am willing to accept any punishment."

After all, they were mere disciples taken on a whim by Jiang Yu, without being taught cultivation. At most, he had helped them according to their passions and goals, giving them a push from behind.

Gu Feifei grew anxious. "Teacher, it's not their fault. I didn't want to trouble anyone. If I had asked, I'm sure Hao and Ma would have helped me wholeheartedly."

Ma Tianzong, Lin Wangtian, and Li Hao all managed bitter smiles.

Jiang Yu spoke coldly. "By rights, I should expel you from the sect..."

Their hearts trembled, and without hesitation, they knelt.

"Teacher, please, do not—if you must, I'd rather you end my life with a sword!"

Jiang Yu changed his tone. "Since this is your first offense, I will not pursue it this time."

They breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Feifei felt a warmth in her heart, her gaze softening as she looked at Jiang Yu. No matter where or when, this man never forgot to care for her. Perhaps this was the irresistible charm that made him unique in her life.

Jiang Yu's tone eased. "Stand up."

"After this, you will accompany me to Huating Entertainment, where Feifei is."

Jiang Yu headed for the door.

Ma Tianzong and Li Hao shared a glance and smiled helplessly. "Our teacher's protective nature hasn't changed."

Li Hao laughed. "Isn't that exactly why we follow him without regret?"

Their spirits lifted.

Outside, more and more wealthy and powerful figures arrived.

Jiang Yu stepped out of the house.

Everyone at the door seemed to have agreed beforehand.

"From today onward—"

"Jiangbei!"

"Monan!"

"These two provinces will honor Master Jiang above all. Henceforth, we will follow him and uphold our provinces' dignity!"

Dozens bowed together, voices rising in unison to the heavens.

"August 27th, Jiangbei and Monan—Master Jiang emerges!"

Li Hao, beside him, explained, "They want to make you the guardian master of both provinces. For nearly fifty years, neither province has had a master. Every year, at the martial arts exchange among the thirty-four provinces, we've been humiliated."

Jiang Yu smiled.

Very well, today I shall take up the mantle of master!